I am attempting to clean - for the first time - my tinplate Marx streamliner from (what I believe to be about) 1964. I used a non residual CRC electronic cleaning spray over the whole motor. Then, I took the brush plate off, cleaned the commutator with alcohol and a cotton swab. I put it all back together, then used an Atlas lube on the gears, and oiled the axels behind the wheels. When I put the engine back on the track it ran really well, both forward and backward. However, there is now an annoying squeel-like sound that sounds like I'm missing lubrication on something important. Any suggestions, please? Thanks!
It sounds like the ends of the armature need a small amount of lube.
Oil or grease?
Oil is used on both ends of the armature. See here for a good site on Marx trains. Scroll halfway down for motor service.
Oil is generally used on rotating parts with little clearance (motor armature, axles), and grease is used on gears and sliding parts (crossheads, pivot points of trucks, etc.).
Larry
Thanks a lot! I'll try this and report.
Just had a similar sound on a Lionel 2046, and I looked in a manual which came with a set circa 1954. There is a familiar illustration of a typical steamer, which shows locations for lube "L" and oil "O". The ends of the armature are indicated for lube, and thats what I did. It seems to have cleared up the problem. I know I have read in other threads on this forum that motor oil is good for all points, but I don't have a an appropriate vessel to use to make motor oil manageable.
I appreciate all the input, and am anxious to see if this does the job. Thank you!
As a follow up, I want to thank all of you once again for your input. I applied my LaBelle oil with the fine needle applicator into both sides of the armature and the squeel instantly cleared up. It is great to have this forum to ask questions and receive helpful information so quickly!
If there is an idler gear on a shaft between the motor and the wheel gears, you should oil this shaft also.
I oil the gears in my locos because I don't know of a grease I can trust. Lionel Lube, 3 in 1 oil, light machine oil, WD-40, white lithium grease are all off of my list of acceptable lubricants. I use only 5W-20 motor oil because it never gets gummy or dries out. I just checked a 2032 that I lubed about 2 years ago. The gears still have oil on them.
BTW, the 2032 has two idler gears between the wheel gears and the main gear that is driven by the motor through a worm gear inside the gear box. There is no way the idler gear shafts will be lubed if you use grease on the gears only.
Interesting. As I have a Marx 999 as well as a Lionel 248 to clean and lube, I will be checking for the idler gear as well. Thank you!
if it has slide shoes, it may be them. my 2026 does this.
Dave
It's a TOY, A child's PLAYTHING!!! (Woody from Toy Story)
I hear a lot about LaBelle lubricants, but I cannot find any engineering information about them. The most important parameter which is important for toy trains is the vapor pressure. The vapor pressure tells you how fast the oil or grease is going to evaporate and leave behind a gummy mess or concrete. Motor oil has a vapor pressure of 10^-2 torr at 100 C. It has a vapor pressure at room temperature of 10^-5 torr. Atmospheric pressure is 760 mm of mercury (Hg). I cannot find information on vapor pressure for LaBelle products or greases, so I don't use them. My experience with motor oil goes back to the '50s. In 1965 I oiled a 2025 and ran it for a while and then put it in a box in the closet. I took it out of the box about 5 years ago, and the oil was still good and the loco ran well. That is a span of 45 years. I use motor oil for all lubrication and it works well. I oil the pickup rollers and even oil the commutators.
With rare exception, I don't clean the locos up very much. Too much like work and I don't believe it is necessary. If you have dried grease on something, put some oil on it and it will soften up and be grease again. I just oil them and run them. I do clean commutators and brushes when it is necessary.
I use motor oil to lube the wheels, bolsters, and couplers on prewar and post war cars.
Thanks for the information. I'm still new to all this regarding my own maintenance. It is rewarding to see an engine run better after working on it, than when I first got it.
Larry, that website on Marx trains is excellent! Thanks for the info!
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